Copeman History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The Anglo-Saxons of Britain first developed the name Copeman. It was a name given to someone who was a merchant or trader, originally derived from the Old Norman word kaupmaor.

Early Origins of the Copeman family

The surname Copeman was first found in Norfolk where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say before the Norman Conquest in 1066. The name Copeman appears to have several historical explanations. One historian says the name means a chapman or merchant. Another historian explains that "cope" was a tribute paid to the king, and perhaps the collector of this tax was a Copeman.

Early History of the Copeman family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Copeman research. Another 61 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1141 and 1146 are included under the topic Early Copeman History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Copeman Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Copeman have been found, including Copeman, Coopman and others.

Early Notables of the Copeman family

Notables of this surname at this time include:

Copeman of Norfolk

Copeman migration to the United States +

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Among the first immigrants of the name Copeman, or a variant listed above to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were:

Copeman Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Annie Copeman, aged 1, who immigrated to the United States, in 1893
James H. Copeman, aged 29, who settled in America, in 1893
Wm. Copeman, aged 34, who landed in America from Sunderland, in 1893
E. F. R. Copeman, aged 34, who landed in America from Liverpool, in 1897

Copeman Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

James H. Copeman, aged 46, who landed in America from Willington, England, in 1910
Martin Copeman, aged 29, who immigrated to the United States from London, England, in 1914
James Copeman, aged 24, who immigrated to the United States, in 1920
Thomas Copeman, aged 27, who immigrated to the United States, in 1921

Copeman migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Copeman Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

Flora Copeman, aged 35, who landed in Toronto, Canada, in 1918
Frances Copeman, aged 5, who immigrated to Toronto, Canada, in 1918
Leslie Copeman, aged 34, who immigrated to Toronto, Canada, in 1918
Muriel Copeman, aged 2, who immigrated to Toronto, Canada, in 1918

Contemporary Notables of the name Copeman (post 1700) +

Lloyd Groff Copeman (1881-1956), American inventor who invented the first electric stove, the flexible rubber ice cube tray and had over seven hundred patents in his name
Frederick Bayes Copeman OBE (1907-1983), English volunteer in the International Brigades during the Spanish Civil War, Commander of the British Battalion
Sydney Arthur Monckton Copeman K.St.J FRS FRCP (1862-1947), British medical doctor and Senior Medical officer in the Ministry of Health
Russell Copeman (b. 1960), Canadian politician, Borough mayor of Côte-des-Neiges-Notre-Dame-de-Grâce (2013-)
Charles Copeman (1930-2013), Australian mining executive with Pilbara Iron

The Copeman Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: In arce salus
Motto Translation: Safety in the castle